Kampala City Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago and Soroti Woman MP Anna Ebajju have been appointed as Vice Presidents for the Forum for Democratic Change in the new National Executive Committee during a ceremony at the party’s Najjanankumbi headquarters. The event also saw other members appointed to the party’s executive committee.
The move comes ahead of an anticipated accession of Lukwago to position of Party President in preparation for a showdown against NUP ahead of the 2026 general elections. Lukwago is expected to challenge for Presidency of Uganda after he made revelations that he would no longer contest for Kampala City mayor. Lukwago said that he unequivocally accepts the appointment and challenge to serve the party in the region.
This was confirmed by party President Amuriat Oboi who promised to reveal their new strategic plan for 2021 to 2026.
FDC has fallen so far down the political pedestal after being displaced by NUP and being poached hopelessly by the ANT of former President Mugisha Muntu.
Amuriat also hinted to this by saying that party has been going through many tribulations and these have in turn led observers to believe that they could soon be winding up.
FDC has also had to reform its image after being unable to emulate its civil disobedience image as propagated by former leader Kizza Besigye who has since moved into diplomatic disobedience due to frail health and waned influence.
The image problems of FDC led to the formation of ANT and the emergence of the NUP leaving a huge vacuum in their role in the political dispensation of the country and the opposition in particular. This is also the cornerstone of the new strategic plan that they hope will hit the ground running upon launch.
This development also raises new questions over the future of a united opposition in Uganda. It is clear that the major opposition parties in the country are engaging in a cold war characterized by a political figure arms race with Buganda being identified as the defining battle ground.
Buganda region was hugely dominated by the NUP during the last elections at the expense of the FDC and DP both of which are more concerned about regaining lost glory rather than topple the ruling NRM party out of office.